While there is no clarity on when the long-awaited work on traffic island at Government Hospital Junction will begin, there are indications of progress in the flyover project.
Complications over shifting of statues for commencement of traffic island work have not been sorted out as yet, sources say. The Highways Department favours shifting of the three statues of late leaders Kamaraj, MGR and E.V.K. Sampath for carrying out the work. The department had assured to earmark suitable space for replacing the statues at the original locations. But, ruling party politicians have been exerting pressure on the administration to desist from shifting the MGR statue, prompting supporters of other leaders also to follow suit.
Construction of traffic island is vital for facilitating free flow of vehicles. The Highways Department that went about acquiring the required land and completing the financial settlements is not unable to proceed further, it is learnt. Though the foundation for the traffic island was laid during February 2014, with the promise of completion of the project in six months time, things are at standstill mode.
The Highways Department envisaged spending Rs. 11.3 crore for the project, of which Rs. 5.4 crore was given as compensation for the acquired land and demolition of buildings housing commercial establishments. So far, the traffic island work was considered a precursor to initiation of flyover construction above. Tthe Department has now thought it fit to go ahead with the flyover construction, the sources said. The design has been submitted for approval.
At the start of last year, the State Government had accorded administrative sanction of Rs. 22.92 crore for land acquisition, replacement of power lines and telephone poles, and altering the alignment of the underground drainage.
The project envisaging Rs. 75 crore-expenditure has been designed as a grade separator with provision for branching of the paths towards Mettur and Kangayam roads from Perundurai and Brough Roads respectively. The estimates have been prepared, and the next process would be letting of tender, the sources said.
